McGuane Park

McGuane Park, originally known as Mark White Square, is located in the Bridgeport community of Chicago, Illinois. The park encompasses 9.88 acres of land and was first opened to the public in 1905. It was one of ten revolutionary parks created to provide relief to Chicago's tenement districts, offering valuable recreational, educational, and social services to the surrounding communities.

In 1960, the park was renamed after John F. McGuane, a World War I veteran who lived across the street from the park all his life and served as a member of the Chicago Park District Board of Commissioners for four years. The original fieldhouse was demolished in 1972 and replaced with a new building and swimming pool.

Today, McGuane Park serves as a vital community resource, offering a variety of facilities and programs for residents of all ages. The park features both indoor and outdoor recreational spaces, including an indoor swimming pool, two gymnasiums, and an assembly hall. Outside, visitors can enjoy baseball fields, an athletic field for soccer or football, tennis courts, and a playground.

The playground, renovated in Fall 2013 as part of the Chicago Plays! program, provides a safe and engaging space for children. It includes various play structures such as slides, swings, and climbing elements, as well as a water spray feature for hot summer days.

McGuane Park offers a range of programs and activities throughout the year. These include after-school programs during the school year, a six-week day camp in the summer, and specialty camps, including a therapeutic recreation camp for patrons with special needs. The park also hosts special events for families, such as Movies in the Park and holiday activities.